Tropical Cyclone Berguitta damage: Thousands without power as storm heads to Mauritius

Tropical Cyclone Berguitta damage: Thousands without power as storm heads to Mauritius

MAURITIUS is bracing for impact as dangerous Tropical Cyclone Berguitta bears down on the Indian Ocean island nation, with gusts of 120km/h (75mph) expected to lash the island tonight. The airport and port were shut early this morning as a precaution.

Authorities have raised the warning class to a level 3 cyclone and warned residents to take all precautions and stay safe.

The Meteorological service said: “On this trajectory, tropical cyclone Berguitta is dangerously approaching Mauritius and represents a direct threat to the island .”

Advising locals to prepare an emergency kit of canned and dry food, batteries and water, secure shutters and doors, avoid areas prone to flooding, and if your home is “insecure” head to a cyclone refugee centre as soon as you can.

Tropical cyclone Berguitta is dangerously approaching Mauritius and represents a direct threat to the island

The local MetService said: “Wind will blow from the south east at about 50 km/h, strengthening gradually.

“The gusts may reach 120 km/h in the evening. Sea will be high with heavy swells. It is strictly advised not to go out at sea. “

BBC weather presenter Tomasz Schafernaker has warned Tropical Cyclone Berguitta could be the most devastating storms to hit the region since the 1990s.

He said: “Mauritius and Reunion in the Indian Ocean are bracing themselves for the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Berguitta and it could be the most destructive storm since 2002 and possibly since the mid-nineties.

The Met Office tweeted: "Intense tropical cyclone Berguitta will move southwest to affect the islands of Mauritius and La Reunion over the next 24 hours or so, bringing damaging wind and flooding rain."

Rainfall could reach 8-12 inches across the Indian Ocean islands which could lead to flash flooding.

Tracking maps from Tropical Storm Risk show Berguitta passing over the two islands before bending south, narrowly avoiding Madagascar.

Accuweather’s Adam Douty said the storm could bring heavy rain to southern parts of Madagascar this week, though not enough to cause widespread flooding.